New stained glass window at New Westminster church commemorates saint who pioneered World Mission Sunday

“Let there be light!” said Father David Hughes, and there is light, new light, in the vestibule of Holy Spirit Church in New Westminster.
It’s all thanks to the installation on June 4 of a striking stained glass window depicting Blessed Joseph Allamano of Italy.

Blessed Allamano, founder of the Consolata Missionaries, was named Pioneer of World Mission Sunday by Pope Paul VI. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 7, 1990.

At the age of 29 he was appointed rector of Turin’s biggest Marian shrine, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Consolata. He founded the Institute of Consolata Missionaries on Jan. 29, 1901, and the following year sent four missionaries: two priests and two brothers, to Kenya.

In 1910 he established the congregation of Consolata Sisters. Today over 3,500 Consolata priests, brothers, sisters, and volunteers serve in 25 countries.

The new Holy Spirit window, designed and painted by Vancouver glass artists John and Laura Gilroy of Gilroy Stained Glass, shows Blessed Allamano standing beside a lady holding a child, representing the African Missions.

Behind her is a man in Argentinian national dress, representing the South American continent. A little boy kneeling on the left stands for the North American continent and a young girl to the right with outstretched hands evokes the people of Asia.

Behind the left shoulder of Blessed Allamano is a representation of the icon of Our Lady of Consolata traditionally considered to be a relic of the Blessed Mother and Child which pious tradition attributes to St. Luke. The relic, buried in a chapel for centuries, was re-discovered in the 12th century in pristine shape, and is credited with restoring a blind man’s sight.

Blessed Allamano is the patron of the Knights of Columbus Council of Holy Spirit Parish. The council was founded on June 29, 1994, said Father Hughes.

“Choosing him as the subject for our new window was appropriate,” the pastor added. “We also have many of the ethnic groups in the window represented in our parish. One of our parishioners actually knew Blessed Allamano; another was with the Consolata Missionaries in Africa. We have people from South America, Africa, and Asia, where the Consolata missionaries serve.”

The faces of the figures, Father Hughes added, are exceptional.

“The Gilroys did a masterful job on the expressions which, unlike what is seen in some stained glass, are very lifelike. The work is superb and we are thrilled.”